[DemolitionMan]

I'm feeling kind of lazy to do a lot of research. I did a cursory look at Google and USGA site and didn't find a definitive answer.

Are iPods allowed during a round of tournament golf?

Not just for listening to music, but what if I wanted to relax at a tee box with a big backup and decide to check out some videos (not golf instruction) to get my mind off the golf?

Take it one step further, what if I created and electronic yardage book (not GPS) and put it in the iPod, is that within the rules?

[Johnny]

Here you go........from USGA site



Rule 14-3

Wearing Headphones or Earplugs During Stipulated Round


A. The Rules of Golf do not prohibit a player from using headphones, provided they do not communicate information on the conditions (such as weather) which are relevant to his play or otherwise assist the player in his play. Please refer to Rule 14-3, Decision 14-3/16 and the penalty statement under Rule 14-3. Additionally, the Rules of Golf do not prohibit a player from using earplugs, provided it does not assist the player in his play - (Rule 14-3). Finally, a prudent player would avoid the appearance of any possible breach of the Rules. The decision on whether a breach has occurred needs to be made by a rules official or other member of a Committee on a case by case basis, taking all of the circumstances into consideration.

[DemolitionMan]

Thanks.

I was thinking photos or videos with no sound or the use of headphones. Just take it out in the open and "browse".

[sync71]

They had a little article in the "Rules Guy Section" of Golf Magaizine. And he pretty much summed it up like this. "You can use it as long as it is to no assintance to your game". I don't know about the GPS thing..I'm guessing you can't because it wouldn't be USGA approved.

[Shortknocker]

playing with shane can't be that bad.

[jaridyard]

While playing on Hooters a guy I was paired with the first 2 days blew up big time in the 1st round. He showed up on the first tee on day 2 with his ipod on, headphones in ears. They stayed there thru the entire round, I waited until the end to ask what he was listening to. Turns out he was listening to Coldplay....the 1st round can't have quite depressed him enough.

[mrq]

I remember Jerry Kelly had LCD screen on his bag... also he could watch it but not golf related like MizunoGolf27 said.

[WRXJIM]

I wonder if Playing TW Golf 07 on my PSP would be considered "golf instruction" ? Not that Ill ever be in a "tournement Round" of Golf mind you...

I do like listening to my Ipod when i play by myself on an empty course.

[parpar41]

Richard Zokol is a professional golfer ( from B.C.) ; He played the PGA tour for many years in the 1980s and 19990s; 2 wins , I think. Anyway, when he started out on tour in the early or mid'80's ( the year, not the scoring average) he used to wear headphones on the course to listen to music . apparently, it kept him calm and focused.

The headpones and the music earned him the nickname " Disco Dick". the nickname supports my recollection that this happened in the 1980s sometime. Back them , I guess he used a Walkman or something like that. All that to say, he wore the headphones on the course, during tournament play , on national TV. Nobody -- PGA tour , USGA ,other players -- objected. He only did it for a few years, tops.

ParPAr

[iaindan]

yes i have my ipod in my bag every round, so if i lose my temper in go the earphones

[jon2]

i take mine to the driving range with me.

never thought about playing with it.

maybe the next time i go out for nine holes at 5:30 by myself i'll try it.

[pdxhak]

When I play as a single the ipod is cranking the tunes. For me it is a must on the range so I can tune everyone out and focus on my practice routine.

[hoganfan924]

Probably would be judged OK as long as you're not listening to those Tour Tempo tracks!

Swing ... set . through!
Swing ... set . through!
Swing ... set . through!

[artfulgolfer]

iPods rule, but on the golf course, I prefer listening to the iBirds and the wind whistling through the iTrees...

[nunee]

 artfulgolfer, on Jun 2 2007, 07:37 AM, said:

iPods rule, but on the golf course, I prefer listening to the iBirds and the wind whistling through the iTrees...

True. The sounds of nature are great.

My other pavorite is smelling cigarette smoke while skiing!!! Enjoy that fresh mountain air!

[mdgboxx]

I wonder how much Pinseeker, Garmin and Apple are paying the USGA for permitting those.

I heard somewhere that someone was penalized for using a handkerchief to kneel on...!

Oh yea, the dress code is going down the tubes too I hear!

[InTheHole]

 mdgboxx, on Jan 6 2009, 04:30 PM, said:

I wonder how much Pinseeker, Garmin and Apple are paying the USGA for permitting those.

I heard somewhere that someone was penalized for using a handkerchief to kneel on...!

Oh yea, the dress code is going down the tubes too I hear!

It was a towel- it violates the "building up a stance" rule.

[imsocrabby]

hasn't the 'building a stance with a towel" rule been changed?

[italianstallion]

I bring one for rounds when I'm playing by myself and I have some nice new songs I want to listen to. Never thought about wearing them while playing in a tournament or with other people though

[wardogatc]

 mrq, on May 15 2007, 04:44 AM, said:

I remember Jerry Kelly had LCD screen on his bag... also he could watch it but not golf related like MizunoGolf27 said.

Tony D'Annunzio: [carrying Czervik's golf bag] What do you got in here, rocks?
Al Czervik: Are you kiddin'? When I was your age, I would lug fifty pounds of ice up five, six flights of stairs!
Tony D'Annunzio: [puts down Czervik's bag, exasperated] So what?
Al Czervik: So what?
[opens compartment in golf bag, revealing radio]
Al Czervik: So let's dance!
[turns on Journey's "Any Way You Want It," high volume]

[pauliewalnuts]

I listen to my Ipod every time Im on the range. I love it when Im on out on the course as well but dont use it that much if Im out playing with friends. Now if I get paired up with some yapper I'll put it on every time and tell him its a tempo thing.

[slicktry]

On the Cdn Tour, at least 10-15% of players have Ipods while warming up. Never seen one on the course though.

God Bless
Jer

[Johnny]

thread is 18 months old... nice

[f123acez]

No, iPods aren't allowed. When i played in a tournement at the PGA West in Port St. Lucie, The rules official got pissed at me on the 14th hole because i was listening to my iPod. He said if he caught me again i would be DQ'ed.

iPods aren't allowed.

[jphilbeck]

My thoughts on music on the course...

First, I don't think anyone that plays serious golf should practice with one unless you are allowed to play with one. You want your practice to be as much like your play as possible. You don't want to get into a competitive round and be like oh sh!* where are my tunes

Second, if you are listening to different songs with different tempos then your personal tempo can get out of whack or confused. This should bring your relocation about how clocks tend to tick at the same beat if they are near each other. You body works the same way and it will get on beat with whatever is around you. Ever seen a flock of birds that change direction in unision really fast? Same concept.

Lastly, headphones have always made me play worse although I did play OK when i would listen to theology and philosophy lectures on the course because I would think about things other than golf.

My 2 cents.

[kevcarter]

 f123acez, on Jan 7 2009, 07:39 AM, said:

No, iPods aren't allowed. When i played in a tournement at the PGA West in Port St. Lucie, The rules official got pissed at me on the 14th hole because i was listening to my iPod. He said if he caught me again i would be DQ'ed.

iPods aren't allowed.

That may have been printed as a condition of the competition. Unless something like that was in effect, it is NOT part of the Rules Of Golf.

14-3/16 Use of Electronic Devices
As provided in the Etiquette Section, players should ensure that any electronic device taken onto the course does not distract other players.

The use of an electronic device such as a mobile phone, hand-held computer, calculator, television or radio is not itself a breach of Rule 14-3. For example, the following uses of an electronic device during a stipulated round are not a breach of the Rules:

• Using the device for matters unrelated to golf (e.g., to call home);

• Using the device to access information on advice-related matters that were published prior to the start of the player’s round (e.g., an electronic yardage book, swing tips); or

• Using the device to obtain information related to the competition being played (e.g., the leader board or projected “cut”).

However, examples of uses of an electronic device during a stipulated round that are a breach of Rule 14-3, for which the penalty is disqualification, include:

• Using the device (e.g., a television or radio) to watch or listen to a broadcast of the competition being played;

• Using the device to ask for or give advice in breach of Rule 8-1 (e.g., calling a swing coach at home); or

• Using the device to access information on advice-related matters that were not published prior to the start of his round (e.g., analysis of strokes made during that round).

[Skaffa77]

 Johnny, on May 13 2007, 02:25 PM, said:

Here you go........from USGA site



Rule 14-3

Wearing Headphones or Earplugs During Stipulated Round


A. The Rules of Golf do not prohibit a player from using headphones, provided they do not communicate information on the conditions (such as weather) which are relevant to his play or otherwise assist the player in his play. Please refer to Rule 14-3, Decision 14-3/16 and the penalty statement under Rule 14-3. Additionally, the Rules of Golf do not prohibit a player from using earplugs, provided it does not assist the player in his play - (Rule 14-3). Finally, a prudent player would avoid the appearance of any possible breach of the Rules. The decision on whether a breach has occurred needs to be made by a rules official or other member of a Committee on a case by case basis, taking all of the circumstances into consideration.

Now, I'm probably reading too much into it, but could listening to music during a round be considered assistance to the player in his play? Could it be deemed to help cut out distractions or help with the "mental" aspect of the game. Scenario - Guy plays bad on Day 1 without iPod and headphones, but plays great on Day 2 with music from his iPod...

If not, then what constitutes "music" that is not deemed to "assist" the player...say they listen to music with a constant bass beat...might that help to keep a players tempo...

Just curious...

[ryegolfer]

One guy at my club used to listen to sermons while playing... WWJS (what would Jesus shoot)

[Grant076]

I have played my best golf while listening to my iPod.. I would exactly consider my music soothing either. Most is rap such as Lil Wayne, T.I., and Yung Joc but yet it still helps. I can't imagine what I could shoot if I listened to something remotely steady and calm, haha.

[stryper]

Not sure that this contributes much, but AK was listening to an iPod during a practice round at the BMW last year. He was the only one I noticed...

[wardogatc]

 Grant076, on Jan 8 2009, 11:39 AM, said:

I have played my best golf while listening to my iPod.. I would exactly consider my music soothing either. Most is rap such as Lil Wayne, T.I., and Yung Joc but yet it still helps. I can't imagine what I could shoot if I listened to something remotely steady and calm, haha.

Glad it helps. Hopefully you will have continued success this year on the Champions Tour!

[Ryan_Less]

interesting... all my tournament golf I was under the impression that you couldn't use them

[rapriebe]

Golf is hard enough. I can't imagine trying to focus on my game with ANY kind of music blaring in my ears. I'm just grateful that I grew up in an era when we didn't have something stuck in our ears 24/7, be it iPod or cell phone. I actually got to experience the world around me, so maybe that's why I appreciate it more now.

[jefffann]

Quote

Golf is hard enough. I can't imagine trying to focus on my game with ANY kind of music blaring in my ears. I'm just grateful that I grew up in an era when we didn't have something stuck in our ears 24/7, be it iPod or cell phone. I actually got to experience the world around me, so maybe that's why I appreciate it more now

My 16 yr old does it but I'm with you.I have enough distractions not spilling my beer while I'm putting

[Skaffa77]

 jefffann, on Jan 13 2009, 10:34 AM, said:

Quote

Golf is hard enough. I can't imagine trying to focus on my game with ANY kind of music blaring in my ears. I'm just grateful that I grew up in an era when we didn't have something stuck in our ears 24/7, be it iPod or cell phone. I actually got to experience the world around me, so maybe that's why I appreciate it more now

My 16 yr old does it but I'm with you.I have enough distractions not spilling my beer while I'm putting

How do you spill beer while putting? The only way I could see that happening is if you clenched the beer between your teeth while putting the ball. I'd think that be extremely distracting, but if you can do it, more power to you...

[Kreth]

I'd be worried about not hearing a "Fore!" and taking a ProV1 to the skull...

[jefffann]

yes putting with a beer, it is a talent that gets better with practice.

Actually I can't chew gum and walk so any distraction would be a detrement to my game.

[CLA225]

Called Mark from USGA and Ipod's are legal as long as it does not break rule 14-3.... He did say that different tournament may set a rule that they may not be used, but USGA does says it is OK.

Chuck

[ballshagger]

To branch a little off topic, how do you guys get your ear plugs to stay in place while golfing??

[funkyfedora]

I use the behind the head headphones that slip over the ears and run the wire down the back of my shirt.